Leading Through Uncertainty: How Umpqua Bank Emerged from the Great Recession Better and Stronger than Ever

Leading Through Uncertainty: How Umpqua Bank Emerged from the Great Recession Better and Stronger than Ever

Released November 2013
Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9781118733028

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Book description

From the CEO of Umpqua Bank, the essential leadership practices that allowed the West Coast's largest independent community bank to emerge from the economic crisis even stronger than before

In this follow-up to the successful Leading for Growth, Umpqua Bank CEO Ray Davis shares the tactics and strategies that have allowed Umpqua to grow and succeed in the toughest economic environment. The results are clear: despite years of economic uncertainty, Umpqua has continued its upward trajectory—expanding from five locations in 1994 to more than 200 today. Davis's approach can help leaders recalibrate their approaches, no matter what the industry or market upheaval they face.

In Leading Through Uncertainty, Davis shares a concise set of smart, actionable leadership practices that leaders can use to navigate their businesses and teams through difficult times. These include focusing on honesty and transparency, motivating and inspiring employees, building an outstanding corporate reputation, paying attention to details, and more. By showing leaders how to maintain a clear value proposition and strong leadership, Leading Through Uncertainty will help any company secure a lasting foothold in any economy.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Dedication
  6. Foreword
  7. Introduction: The Great Uncertainty
  8. PART 1: Leading Yourself
    1. 1: The New Normal
      1. A WORLD IN FLUX
      2. CHANGE THE GAME
      3. BE AGILE—YOU CAN'T STAND STILL
      4. RELENTLESS PROGRESS IS THE KEY
      5. DEAL WITH IT
    2. 2: The Truth, Nothing But the Truth
      1. WHY I TELL THE TRUTH
      2. BEING TRUTHFUL WITH YOURSELF
    3. 3: Problems and the Healing Process
      1. THE STATE OF DENIAL
      2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING
      3. ENCOURAGE YOUR PEOPLE TO STEP UP
    4. 4: Control and Uncertainty
      1. MANAGING THE RISK ELEMENT
      2. WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
      3. TWO ASPECTS OF A LEADERS JOB: CONTROLLABLE RESULTS AND UNCERTAINTY
      4. BLACK AND WHITE: MAKING DECISIONS EASY
      5. DO YOUR BEST, GET INPUT, AND REMEMBER IT'S JUST A NUMBER!
    5. 5: Exercise Your Intuition
      1. INTUITION AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS
      2. LISTEN AND ACT
      3. KNOW WHEN TO ACT
      4. WHEN YOU TRUST YOUR INTUITION, OPPORTUNITIES FOLLOW
      5. REGULAR PRACTICE WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR INTUITION
  9. PART 2: Leading Your Organization
    1. 6: Be Really Good at the Basics
      1. COMPANY STANDARDS AND ETHICS
      2. CORE VALUES OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
      3. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
    2. 7: The Value of a Value Proposition
      1. PRICE IS A DEATH SPIRAL
      2. LIVING YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION
      3. CREATING YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION
      4. COMMUNICATING YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION
      5. NURTURING YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION
    3. 8: Be Available
      1. KEEP YOUR ORGANIZATION FLAT
      2. BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE: ASSOCIATES, CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, AND THE PUBLIC
      3. HOW ELSE CAN YOU LEAD IN DIFFICULT TIMES?
      4. BE CONFIDENT; BE REAL
    4. 9: Motivate and Inspire
      1. SINCERITY, TRUST, AND PASSION
      2. THE VALUE OF PEOPLE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
      3. THE VALUE OF TEAM PLAYERS
      4. AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MOTIVATING OUR PEOPLE
    5. 10: Leverage Your Assets
      1. LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY
      2. BUSINESSES ARE MORE EFFICIENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE TO SURVIVE
      3. LEARN TO MAKE 1 + 1 = 4
  10. PART 3: Leading the Way
    1. 11: Reputation Counts
      1. OCCUPY UMPQUA
      2. NO CHIPPED PAINT
      3. RIPPLES ON A POND
    2. 12: Create Buzz (But Manage Crisis)
      1. IN TODAY'S NOISY WORLD, BUZZ IS CRITICAL
      2. RUMORS START FAST (AND BAD NEWS SPREADS FASTER)
      3. YOU ARE BEST AT DELIVERING YOUR MESSAGE
      4. CORNY IS (VERY) GOOD
      5. POWER OF THE UNEXPECTED
    3. 13: Build Momentum
      1. KNOW WHEN TO HIT THE GAS, AND WHEN TO SLOW DOWN
      2. WITH UNCERTAIN TIMES COME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
      3. BRING IN INCREMENTAL RESOURCES TO BUILD MOMENTUM
    4. 14: Practice Incremental Evolution
      1. SUSTAINING A COMPETITIVE GAP
      2. STUDY INDUSTRIES OUTSIDE YOUR OWN
      3. EASIER TO DO IN GOOD TIMES THAN IN BAD
  11. Conclusion: Lead On
  12. Notes
  13. Acknowledgments
  14. About the Authors
  15. Index

Product information

  • Title: Leading Through Uncertainty: How Umpqua Bank Emerged from the Great Recession Better and Stronger than Ever
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: November 2013
  • Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
  • ISBN: 9781118733028